FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEST. CATHARINE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATIONWednesday, December 10, 2014

WOODS CONTINUES TO MAKE HISTORY

With the soccer season coming to an end, the men’s soccer team continues to make history. Ashley Woods added to his accomplishments with quite possibly the highest honor he’s ever received.

Woods, a senior from Manchester, England, was named as an All-American Honorable Mention on Monday. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America committee consists of the NAIA-Men’s Soccer Coaches Association Executive Committee, the National Championship Games Committee and four men’s soccer coaches—selected based on geography.

Woods completed his miraculous season with 21 goals, six assists, and 48 points. Woods was also clutch for the Patriots in crunch time where he netted eight game winning goals on the season. He finished the season with four games where he scored multiple times, including two games recording a hat-trick. He was key for the Patriots down the stretch scoring at least one goal in their final eight games. The Patriots went 7-1 over their final eight games, with their only loss coming in the Mid-South Conference Championship game to eventual champion Lindsey Wilson.

Woods finished the season with some of the best stats in the country. His eight game winning goals ranks first in nation. He ranks seventh in both total points (48) and total goals (21). His one goal a game average was good enough for 11th in the NAIA and his 2.290 points a game ranks 13th. Woods finishes his illustrious career at St. Catharine with 50 goals, 17 assists, and 117 points. He also finishes with 14 game winning goals.

Being named an All-American Honorable Mention tops off a long list of accomplishments for Woods. The senior forward was named Mid-South Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week three times this season. Woods was named to the MSC All-Conference First Team. He was also named as the Mid-South Conference Men’s Soccer Co-Player of the Year.

Tim Wolz, head coach of the Patriots noted, “He’s definitely the player that turned the program around. I knew four years ago when I signed him that he could make a huge difference. He stuck with the team through the good times and the bad times.” Wolz also noted of the hard work Woods put in saying, “I don’t think there is a player on this campus that has worked harder than him [Woods] over the past four years. The leadership that he provided this year, he was almost like an assistant coach on the field.”

Woods not only helped his team on the field, but he has also helped in recruiting as Wolz noted, “It was because of him [Woods] that all of the international kids began to come to St. Catharine.”

Athletic Director of St. Catharine College, Tom Bystrek noted the award saying, “Not only is it a great individual award, but without the support of his teammates around him, it isn’t possible. Ashely is a great competitor and teammate and it’s going to be very difficult for Coach Wolz to replace him.”